“Bring in Marty, BB and Jason, would you?”
“Sure,” said John.
“We’ll need to set up a new game plan to sneak through this city intact. We’ll need to keep an especially sharp eye out for snipers in those high windows.”
“Agreed. You know, it’s good to have you back some, Mac.”
“Sure.”
“No I’m serious. It’s good to see your head’s at least somewhat back in the game.”
“Ah, huh.” Connor swallowed deeply as his thoughts returned to Amanda and the unknown.
John softened his tone even further. “But… I know it takes time.”
“Yeah, it does that, don’t it?” Connor closed his eyes and took a deeper breath. “Not knowing is the tough part. For everything.”
“So true.”
Having left the Youngstown mill three days ago, they’d made good time in their southeastward travels in the woods beside Ohio 193 and I-680 and then onto their shadowing of the Ohio/Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76). The time was uneventful while Connor kept up a silent vigil, mourning the loss of Amanda. That is, except, when his expertise was directly called upon. During that time, Marty took overwatch, since neither he nor Connor were able to face each other for more than a few moments, without an obvious pain seeping into their eyes. Not knowing Amanda’s fate was hitting each hard, though, both had lost good men in the past and, in their own ways, were trying to deal with the cold reality of the new world situation.
“How’s our water?” Connor asked Marty as he approached.
“We’re good, Mac.”
“Okay.”
Aside from Rhonda nearly breaking her right ankle in a gopher hole and Cody stepping on a copperhead that clamped hard onto his boot, their only harrowing situation was during the third night in their travels. When, settling in at an old house just north of highway signs for Beaver Falls, PA, they’d met up with a huge pack of wolves and wild dogs. Large and well fed, the pack attacked the entire team brazenly and almost too fast to defend. With some luck, BB, Marty and Jude were able to fire off a few decent shots before the pack fully converged onto the main porch where the team was setting up camp. A bold pack, nicely sized and confident in their numbers, they were unconcerned that they were attacking human prey. And, it was only Jude’s well-placed shot to the head of the lead wolf that had a strong, sobering effect on the pack. In retrospect, only Roger and Jason were in any clear danger. Roger had fought off a large German Shepherd slipping a knife into its belly before Connor angled up to snap its neck; Jason slammed three quick 9mm shots into the chest of a black wolf that had knocked him down, landing on his head. The rest of the wild pack scattered at the intuitive counter attack, leaving many dead dogs and wolf behind.
The team ate well that night, despite a few bites, bruises and stitches. In fact, after that evening, the team made it a point to find high-quality canine cuisine whenever they had the opportunity. As an emblem of team pride, wolf or wild canine meat was now their new favorite and preferred meal.
CHAPTER 7.13-Recovery
“We’re set to leave at five o’clock for dawn arrival in Youngstown, ma’am,” said Major O’Malley.
“Understood, major. Thank you,” said Colonel Starkes.
Entering the Allegheny College cafeteria after checking in with Shamus and the helicopter crew, Mike settled next to Amanda, Starkes, Daubney, Scott and Cassie. All watched Amanda eat; their own meals long completed. Slurping the last remnants of her squirrel stew, Amanda was disappointed that her third large bowl was empty. With some regret, she sat the bowl on the table, wiping her mouth with her sleeve.
“No offense, but let’s hope you don’t bust your gut after that performance, Amanda,” said Captain Daubney.
“Gross… c’mon, Mark.”
“What? Tell me you weren’t thinkin’ the same thing, Scott.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Sure.”
“Sorry guys… I couldn’t help it.”
“No problem, Amanda,” said Colonel Starkes, “You want another bowl?”
“Ahh, we better hold off right now, Hannah,” said Cassie.
Scott nodded in firm agreement.
“See, Scott! Admit it… you’re thinkin’ she might puke.”
“I most certainly was not.”
“Put a sock in it, captain. You too, Scott. Major, where are we?”
“Flight plan’s laid in, ma’am. We’re set to track Phoenix at first light before we approach into Youngstown.”
“The water?”
“Good to go.”
“Any difficulties?”
“Not at all, ma’am. Secured twenty-eight portable plastic three-gallons. You know, it still pisses me off we had to leave so much of our supplies back in Cleveland. I shoulda figured—”
“The economics professor, what’s his name? He gave up that many?”
“Yes, ma’am. Dr. Schwartz. Most are good quality. Not flimsy. We already filled ’em up.”
“Excellent.”
“I did hafta trade a rifle and 300 rounds for ’em.”
“Oh, I see… why?”
“Well, ma’am, didn’t think it was right to simply take the stuff, you know? Don’t want to tarnish the image of you being president and all.”
“A good move, major. I see your point.” Colonel Starkes smiled at the thought and watched Amanda begin to sway slightly.
The pull of sleep after such a large meal was taking hold. Amanda took center stage at the table, leaning hard into Scott’s shoulder for support. The colonel smiled at the shock this physical contact had when Scott stiffened to support her gentle weight. Recovering after a few seconds, Scott slipped his arm around Amanda’s shoulder, ignoring the amused expressions of those around him. He was content for the moment. Amanda closed her eyes, almost out of it, spent by her effort. Several minutes of conversation went by finalizing the logistics of leaving Allegheny College. Amanda was definitely out.
“Damn, I hate to wake her. Amanda,” whispered Colonel Starkes.
There was no response from Amanda.
“Ma’am?” Scott was loathed to interrupt Amanda’s nap on his shoulder.
“She would appreciate a full bath, Scott.”
“Right.”
“Amanda?”
“Hunnh?”
“Would you like to take a hot bath? Tonight, before we head out tomorrow?”
“Umm…”
“It’d be a good idea.” The colonel turned to Cassie.
“Can you set it up Cassie?”
“Sure, ma’am.”
‘Okay, thanks. Amanda?” The colonel persisted, her hand touching Amanda’s sleeve.
“Umm…”
“C’mon. Let’s draw you a nice warm bath? Huh?”
“Umm.”
“Then we’ll set you right up back to bed. Okay?” suggested Cassie.
All at the table noticed that Amanda’s hands had slipped to her belly, softly rubbing across the small bump in the fabric. She began to come around.
“Oh, uh, umm…”
“We need you rested and ready for the trip to Youngstown. Tomorrow at dawn, you understand?” The colonel’s tone took on more energy and it was obvious she was becoming slightly inpatient.
Scott released his gentle hold and with both hands straightened her upright, whispering into her ear.
“You’ll feel better if you do. Okay? A hot bath’s not likely to come around again anytime soon.”
At the repositioning, Amanda snapped awake into an incredible wash of anxiety and fear. Panicked, she glanced around at the faces surrounding her, momentarily confused.
“What day… is it?”
Colonel Starkes recognized the confusion and answered immediately. “Umm, it’s September sixteenth.”